We are not alone

I went to a restaurant and was seated at a booth. Behind me sat “Mr. Tigger”. You can see the top of his head in the picture. He was a shifty character. I felt the cushion on my side of the booth expand and deflate to his movement. He pushed back into his side of the cushion. My belly compressed into my side of the table. He sat forward. I sank back into the cushion on my side. He bounced on his side of the cushion, which created a corresponding bounce on my side. At times his bouncing was so pronounced that it was difficult to guide food into my mouth. A short time later "Mr. Tigger" left and I was able to consume my meal in peace.

We are not alone. Our movements impact other people, many times in ways we are completely unaware of. “Mr. Tigger” was completely unaware of the impact he had on my dining experience.

I remembered working as a therapist. I had clever words of wisdom that I imparted to the families I worked with. But what they usually hung on to, the “ah hah” moments that changed their lives were usually throwaway lines that I impulsively tossed their way in the flow of conversation.

Realizing that and accepting that did wonders for my staying humble. It also kept me vigilant, looking for the impact that I had on others that lurked around the edges of my awareness.